Cubs take umbrage with celebration from Reds pitcher Garrett, benches empty
Amir Garrett #50 of the Cincinnati Reds is restrained by teammates during a bench clearing incident in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on May 01, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Amir Garrett has few friends around the NL Central.
Two years ago he took on the entire Pittsburgh Pirates team in a brawl and on Saturday he incited the Chicago Cubs dugout in a game at Great American Ball Park.
With Cincinnati trailing Chicago 3-2 in the eighth inning, Garrett struck out Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shouted at him and pounded his chest. Words were exchanged, including more screaming from Garrett in the direction of Javier Baez in the dugout. Then both benches cleared.
“I really don’t know what happened with their team," Bell said. "This is an emotional game and Amir has been struggling. I know Amir was talking to himself. He was emotional. I think they misinterpreted it. That’s what I saw. It is very difficult to stay good in this game. I know we try our best to not be concerned with how the other team reacts.”
No punches were thrown and there were no ejections.
“I think Garrett’s an emotional guy," Cubs manager David Ross. "He hasn’t had the greatest start to the season. He struck out Anthony and was screaming and raging. That’s his character. He’s trying to fire himself up, because he’s not throwing that well right now.”
It was just the second meeting between the two teams this season.
